We’re partnering with Grove Collaborative today to talk about some small changes we’re testing out for a greener laundry routine, just in time for some spring cleaning…
7 Tips for A Greener Laundry Routine
I’ve been hearing a lot about all the chemicals found in laundry products that are hazardous to humans and the environment. Our skin comes in contact with so many residues and chemicals from detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, etc and it can be hazardous not just to our bodies but the environment and especially marine life. It’s made me really want to focus on making some changes in our laundry routine to be more green. It can be stressful as a parent (there are enough things to think about), but I’ve found there are a few really simple ways to make big changes.
I really love that Grove Collaborative products are not only beautifully designed, but natural and eco-friendly. Since I’ve been focusing on ways to green my laundry routine, I was happy to discover that their laundry products are made with ingredients derived from plants. No dyes, no brighteners but still pulling major cleaning power. Also, compared to most 40oz laundry detergents, the Grove laundry system cuts plastic waste by 80%!
Their new laundry vessel dispenser is super gorgeous (it’s that bottle at the top here). You fill it up with the the ultra-concentrated detergent and then there’s a device that auto-dispenses the correct amount for one load in the bottle. You can add more or less if you’d like, but incredibly helpful. When practical things are so beautiful that they can be displayed and not tucked away it makes me so happy!
Grove Collaborative is totally free to join. And if you sign up here and spend at least $20 you also get this free laundry starter gift:
Grove Ultra-Concentrated Laundry Detergent (33 loads in just 24 oz)
Grove Laundry Vessel (so good looking!)
Grove Stain Remover Spray
Plus, Free Shipping & VIP Trial
Such a great deal! Be sure to start here to get the free gift.
Amazingly enough, it can be really simple to go more green with your laundry. After doing a bit of research, here are some ideas we’re trying out to get started:
Only washing items if they’re dirty. It seems simple, but sometimes hard to enforce! There are always things that get thrown into our hamper simply because they were worn, and not because they’re actually dirty. Being strict about what things get thrown into the wash can save SO much energy, water, and time spent in the laundry room. The average American family does 8 to 10 loads of laundry a week (woah!) but I’m wondering if we can cut ours in half.
Full loads or a washing machine with a load sensor. If you can wash only full loads of laundry that will ensure your machine is operating at peak efficiency. Luckily, a lot of the new machines have a built in sensor to determine water level which is great so you can do smaller loads and not waste water.
Use the dryer back to back. The dryer will already be warmed up, which requires less energy than going from cool to hot for each load. Also, be sure to clean the lint filter before every load, which helps the dryer work more efficiently. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it! The sensor shuts off the machine when the clothes are dry, which saves energy on unnecessary tumbling.
Hang it to dry. If possible, try to hand more pieces of laundry to dry instead of using the heat and electricity of the dryer. Also clothes last longer when they’re not tossed around in the hot dryer each time they get washed. Grove Collaborative has this awesome product called the Grove Stain Remover Spray (part of the free gift you can get) that I love for giving your garments a quick spray to iron out wrinkles when they’re being hung dry.
Don’t iron if you don’t have to. Cut the final spin cycle, it uses up electricity and is tough on fabrics setting in wrinkles. Hang up clothes the minute you take them out of the washer, the weight of the water will help pull out most wrinkles. Once the clothes are dry, fold them where you want the creases to be and finish them off with the Grove Wrinkle Release Spray.
Avoid dry cleaning. Most dry cleaners use a toxic chemical called perchloroethylene (PERC), which is harmful to both humans and the environment (causing toxic air pollution and hazardous waste). Instead, avoid buying dry cleaning only garments, and remember that many delicates and other garments can be easily hand washed. Some washers (ours does!) even have a ‘dry cleaning’ gentle setting which is great to try out if you don’t wanting to hand wash. Also, you’ll save so much money from not dry cleaning too frequently.
Only wash cold if you can. 90% of the energy used for clothes washing is wasted when heating the water, which is both expensive and bad for the environment. Virtually all clothes can be washed in cold water, even when the label calls for warm. Just be sure to give is a good pre-wash treatment like the Grove Stain Remover Spray before throwing it in.
More facts and ways to go green with your laundry found here.
Thanks to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this post. Be sure to snag the awesome package of free laundry goodies like the laundry detergent vessel, detergent, and stain spray right here with at $20 purchase.
Thanks to your great advice, I was able to come up with great ideas for myself. Thank you.Putlocker
Sorry if I missed it, but where is the gorgeous white basket from? Thanks!
I got it in a boutique in Finland, I’ll have to track down where exactly!
Great tips! I’m trying to go greener in all aspects of my life and I’m definitely going to be trying some of these! 🙂 We don’t even have a dryer at home so we always hang to dry our clothes. It’s the norm here in Hong Kong, actually. 💕
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com